Complex case of acute mesenteric ischemia in a patient with atrial fibrillation: A radiologic -surgical collaboration for timely intervention

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), often caused by embolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), can lead to bowel necrosis without timely intervention. This study evaluated the role of CT angiography (CTA) in diagnosing AMI and its impact on surgical outcomes through radiologic-surgical collaboration in 100 AF patients. CTA demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy, correctly identifying AMI in 92% of cases (p < 0.001) and facilitated early surgical intervention in 75% of patients, achieving an 80% success rate. Delayed interventions were associated with increased morbidity and mortality (p = 0.003). These findings highlight the effectiveness of CTA in diagnosing AMI and underscore the importance of timely radiologic-surgical collaboration for optimal patient outcomes.